Sydney

Rio Tinto sees further rise in exports this yearSYDNEY--Rio Tinto PLC (RIO.AU) shipped more iron ore from its Australian mining operations in 2018 as it increased output from its newest mine and worked others harder, and forecast a further rise in exports in the year ahead.

Rio Tinto:Force majeure on some iron-ore contractsSYDNEY--Rio Tinto PLC (RIO.LN) has declared force majeure on some iron-ore contracts after a fire at its Australian port facilities last week. The mining company, one of the world's top exporters of steel ingredient iron ore, said a fire broke out at the Cape Lambert port in Western Australia state on Jan.

Australian retail sales growth beats forecasts SYDNEY--Australian retail sales grew solidly in November with consumers likely attracted by aggressive price discounting late in the month, easing fears of a broad slowdown in spending that threatens to slow the economy sharply.

Feeling like a Grinch? This airline will reward you for ‘missing’ Christmas Crossing the International Date Line can have some interesting consequencesCrossing the International Date Line can have some interesting consequences.

Asian markets lot more losses as recession and trade-war fears weigh Nikkei on track to end year down 11%; Shanghai on pace for 24% declineAsian stocks fell further Friday after Wall Street slid on recession fears, putting markets in Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney on track to end 2018 down more than 10%.

Glencore ups stakes in two Australian coal minesSYDNEY--Glencore PLC (GLEN.LN) said it will increase its stakes in two Australian coal mines, as it continues to raise its bets on the energy commodity. The company said it struck a deal with a unit of Mitsubishi Corp. (8058.TO) to buy its 10% interest in the Ulan coal operation in New South Wales state.

BHP buys back $5.2 billion in stockSYDNEY--BHP Group Ltd. (BHP.AU), the world's biggest miner by market value, said it purchased 5% of its stock in a US$5.2 billion buyback funded by the sale of its U.S. shale unit. BHP said it bought roughly 265.8 million Australian shares at a price of 27.64 Australian dollars each (US$19.83), a 14% discount to their market value.

Why experience gifts are worth the expense Sending someone on an African safari, staying in an Irish castle or going to Coachella makes them happier in the long run than a physical object. Sending someone on an African safari, staying in an Irish castle or going to Coachella makes them happier in the long run than a physical object.Sending someone on an African safari, staying in an Irish castle or going to Coachella makes them happier in the long run than a physical object.

‘Sell the rally’ replaces ‘buy the dip’ as battered market enters critical week Critical information for the U.S. trading dayAfter weeks like the train wreck that just passed, investors are supposed to come along and scoop up some bargains, right? That’s been the norm for decades, after all. Alas, it’s not the norm any more.

Want to celebrate New Year’s twice? It’ll cost you $255,500 A private jet charter company is running a special ‘New Year’s Eve Twice’ packageA private jet charter company is running a special ‘New Year’s Eve Twice’ package.

Australia's GDP weaker than expected in Q3SYDNEY--Australia's economy grew more slowly than expected in the third quarter, amid broad weakness in construction, retail and the farm sector. Gross domestic product expanded 0.3% in the three months through September from the prior quarter, and 2.8% from a year earlier, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday.

Australian business investment contractsSYDNEY--Australian business investment unexpectedly contracted in the third quarter, even as firms said they were ramping up plans to loosen their purse strings in 2019. Investment fell by 0.5% in the third quarter, with mining and building construction dragging down the result. Economists had expected a 1% rise.

Rio Tinto to build new $2.6 billion iron-ore mineSYDNEY--Rio Tinto PLC (RIO.LN) approved a US$2.6 billion iron-ore mine in the Australian Outback that will be the miner's most high-tech operation to date and buoy future production as older pits are depleted.

The American Dream is more attainable in this country (and the weather is good too) Economic mobility from one generation to the next is higher in this country than it is in the U.S.A.Economic mobility from one generation to the next is higher in this country than it is in the U.S.A.

Rio Tinto to sell uranium stake to Chinese buyerSYDNEY--Mining giant Rio Tinto said Monday it would sell its stake in a Namibian uranium mine to a Chinese buyer for up to US$106.5 million (A$147 million). The deal to sell Rio's 68.62% stake in Rössing Uranium Ltd. to China National Uranium Corp. still needs to be approved by the Namibian Competition Commission, but is expected to be completed in the first half of 2019.

Doctors have a simple piece of advice for heart patients who want to live longer A paper on how to improve the outcome of patients with coronary heart disease was presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress A paper on how to improve the outcome of patients with coronary heart disease was presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

What Amazon’s HQ2 will mean for house prices Amazon has decided to locate its new headquarters in both Long Island City, N.Y., and Arlington County, Va.Amazon has decided to locate its new headquarters in both Long Island City, N.Y., and Arlington County, Va.

Australia's central bank keeps rates steadySYDNEY--The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting on Tuesday, signaling it continues to wait for signs of a lift in wages and inflation. The RBA's board left the cash rate target at 1.5%, a level it has remained at for more than two years. "Taking account of the available information, the board judged that holding the stance of monetary policy unchanged at this meeting would be consistent with sustainable growth in the economy and achieving the inflation target over time," RBA Gov.

BHP Billiton to return $10.4B to shareholdersSYDNEY -- BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company by market value, said it would return $10.4 billion to shareholders via a stock buyback and special dividend. The move comes after completing the sale of its U.S. onshore oil and natural gas assets. BHP -- which has faced pressure from activist investor Elliott Management Corp.

These 4 colors can be the kiss of death when selling your home Painting your home with a weird color either inside or out could repel prospective buyersPainting your home with a weird color either inside or out could repel prospective buyers.

Retirees at the polls: What message will older voters send in the midterm elections? Poll shows they have the highest level of interest in the midterms, the most of any groupThey could be a decisive bloc in November, particularly on Medicare, drug costs and Social Security.

Australia's unemployment rate falls sharplySYDNEY--Australia's unemployment rate fell sharply in September as the number of people seeking work declined. The unemployment rate fell to 5.0% from 5.3% in August. Economists had expected the rate to be unchanged. The number of people employed rose by 5,600, compared with an expected rise of 15,000, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Thursday.

Seven banks say they will introduce digital trade finance networkSeven banks to digitize trade and supply chain finance. ANZ, Banco Santander, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Standard Chartered say the network will let companies "easily and securely communicate trade information directly with banks." The network will be introduced at the Sibos conference in Sydney and will be built by technology firm CGI Group . In addition to the founding banks, the firms say more than 20 additional banks are participating in developing the network, and several corporates have already expressed an interest in participating in pilots.

Australia to ease port charges for GlencoreSYDNEY--Charges paid by Glencore PLC (GLEN.LN) on ships entering a large coal port in eastern Australia should be cut by roughly 20%, the country's competition authority said. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Monday said it has finalized an arbitration dispute between Glencore and the Port of Newcastle over access to a shipping channel and ruled the port should reduce its current charge for ships entering to collect Glencore coal to 61 Australian cents (US$0.43) a gross metric ton from A$0.76 a ton now.

New Zealand central bank keeps rates on iceSYDNEY -- New Zealand's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged while continuing to leave its options open for the future, saying the next move could be up or down. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand held its benchmark official cash rate at 1.75% as expected by economists, a level it has been maintained at for nearly two years.

New Zealand posts record trade deficitSYDNEY--New Zealand posted its largest ever monthly trade deficit in August as imports surged. The larger-than-expected trade deficit of NZ$1.484 billion in August, compared with a shortfall predicted by economists of NZ$925 million. "This month's rise in imports to near record levels occurs at the time of year when exports are typically at a low point," said Tehseen Islam, international statistics manager at Statistics New Zealand.

AirPods are lost easily and, in some cases, miraculously found Public transit systems like the BART go all out to help passengers retrieve lost AirPodsPublic transit systems like the BART go all out to help passengers retrieve lost AirPods.

Australia's economy posts strong Q2 growth SYDNEY--Australia's economy grew solidly in the second quarter, supported by government infrastructure programs, strong consumer spending, and an upbeat business environment. Gross domestic product climbed by 0.9% from the first quarter and by 3.4% from a year earlier, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday.

Australian business investment down in 2QSYDNEY--Australian firms lowered investment spending in the second quarter despite a solid economic backdrop, firm commodity prices and a lower Australian dollar. New business investment fell by 2.5% in the three months through June, from the the first three months of the year. Economists had expected a 0.6% rise on quarter, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Thursday.

Australian home-building approvals fall in JulySYDNEY--The number of Australian home building permits fell 5.2% in July from June, led by weakness in apartment approvals. Approvals to build or renovate houses and apartments declined by 5.6% from a year earlier, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Thursday. Permits to build houses fell by 3.0% from a month earlier, while approvals for apartments fell by 6.6%.

Qantas warns over fuel costs amid strong earningsSYDNEY--Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AU) said Thursday that annual net profit rose by 15%, continuing a multi-year turnaround for the previously struggling airline, but warned that rising fuel costs would be a challenge for the upcoming year.

BHP posts higher profit, record dividendSYDNEY-- BHP Billiton Ltd. said fiscal-year net profit fell 37% because of one-time charges, but the world's biggest miner by market value recorded a 33% rise in underlying profit and a record final dividend, aided by higher prices and production for most of its commodities.

BHP Billiton posts healthy profit, record dividendSYDNEY -- BHP Billiton Ltd. said fiscal-year net profit fell 37% because of one-time charges, but the world's biggest miner by market value recorded a 33% rise in underlying profit and a record final dividend, aided by higher prices and production for most of its commodities.

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